How Much Time is Required to Prepare for XAT Exam
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Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT is one of the most competitive entrance exams for admissions in the PGDM and MBA courses. XAT is conducted every year by Xavier School of Management – XLRI Jamshedpur. The preparation for this exam requires a lot of dedication and a good strategy. It is necessary to understand & analyse how much time is required to prepare for XAT.
This blog is a comprehensive guide for organising a time frame for XAT preparation. Aspirants can read this in order to know how much time is required to prepare for XAT.
Contents
Factors Influencing the Preparation Time of XAT
Students often wonder what amount of time is required to prepare for XAT? To know the answer to this question they should first understand that there are multiple factors that affect the time that is required for the preparation. Some of the factors are listed below:
Individual Learning Capacity
The preparation technique of any exam varies from individual to individual. Some students grasp concepts quicker than the others while there are some individuals whose studying tactics consume more time. This variation in studying patterns and grasping power leads to a difference in the period of time needed to prepare for XAT amongst individuals.
Previous Knowledge
Students who have previously prepared for exams like CAT will have some experience with the Quantitative, Verbal, and Logical Reasoning sections. Moreover, students with good grasp on English and Grammar can easily ace the Verbal Aptitude section. Prior knowledge helps students to prepare in less time than the ones who are dealing with these sections for the first instance.
Number of Study Hours
Some students are able to devote more hours to every day preparation than the others. Consistent study hours with balanced breaks helps in better preparation. The amount of time dedicated to studying per day also impacts the overall time duration taken to prepare for the exam.
Mode of Studying
There are students who prefer to take coachings for a more structured and disciplined route whereas others choose to self study at their own pace. This can affect the amount of time that is required to prepare for XAT as taking coachings might help students cover topics at a much faster rate.
Resources
The preparation duration of XAT is impacted by the study material the student is studying from. Some resources are very comprehensive and heavily detailed due to which the student would require more time to go through them. Students with material that have to-the-point will help them prepare smartly for the test.
Also Check: Common Mistakes to Avoid in XAT Exam
Ideal Time Required to Prepare for XAT
A number of students often think How to Prepare for XAT and how much time is required; to know about the same they can refer to the following details:
6 Months
While it is not predefined anywhere that a particular amount of time is required to prepare for XAT, it is ideally suggested to start at least six months prior to the exam. This gives ample time to study thoroughly, space out topics, practise previous papers, and evaluate the progress. A minimum time of around 6 months is recommended for students starting XAT preparation from scratch. During this time, they can analyse their strengths and work on their weaker areas.
3-4 Months
Candidates who have prepared for exams like CAT with similar syllabus can consider a time frame of 3-4 months. Students who already have a good foundation in English and Mathematics can also efficiently prepare themselves for XAT within a span of 3 months. Since their core is already strong they can focus primarily on areas like Decision Making and Logical Reasoning. Students should also go through XAT Previous Year Question Paper to make themselves familiar with the paper pattern.
1-2 Months
There are many candidates who decide to re-appear for XAT. With dedicated effort a minimum of 1-2 months period of time is required to prepare for XAT. Since, in this case, students are already familiar with the XAT Exam Pattern and syllabus, they can use this time to review key topics, practise mock tests, and work on their speed & time management.
Also Check: How to Ace XAT 2026 Exam: A Smart and Logical Approach
Wrap Up!
In the end, a minimum of 1 to 6 months time is required to prepare for XAT based on the student’s prior experience with the syllabus and exam pattern. It is necessary for the students to analyse their strengths and weaknesses to know how much time is most suitable for them. However, it is advisable to begin early with the preparation if possible to give enough time to the practise and revision. Moreover, it depends on their own capacity and knowledge of the core sections.